Turnovers send MTSU to third loss in four games

MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill was hopeful that his squad would play well Saturday against Florida International University, but five turnovers led to an ugly loss for the Blue Raiders.(Photo: photos by DONNALYN ANTHONY/ FOR THE DAILY NEWS JOURNAL)Buy Photo

MIAMI – A once-promising football season for MTSU took a turn for the worst at FIU Stadium on Saturday.

With bowl eligibility on the line, the Blue Raiders stumbled for the third time in their past four games, suffering a 38-28 upset loss to Florida International.

MTSU, which built a 21-3 lead in the second quarter, completely unraveled with five turnovers in the final 31 minutes to allow the host Panthers (4-7, 3-4 Conference USA) to end a four-game losing streak.

"I don't really have too much to say about it," MTSU safety Kevin Byard said. "It was just highly disappointing. Offensive side of the ball, special teams and defense (was) just highly disappointing.

"(It's) probably one of the most disappointing games of my career."

The Blue Raiders' (5-5, 4-2) five turnovers were the most in a single game for the team since its appearance in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in 2010.

MTSU had two fumbles and three interceptions in the defeat. It was the second time this season quarterback Austin Grammer threw three picks in a game. He also had three interceptions in a loss at Minnesota.

"Disappointing, highly disappointing just because we didn't give ourselves a chance," coach Rick Stockstill said. "You're up 21-3 (and) you're going in to make it 28-10 at the half.

"It was uncharacteristic."

The game's pivotal moment came with just under a minute to play in the first half. MTSU led 21-10 and faced a second-and-goal from the FIU 1.

MTSU running back Jordan Parker plunged into the middle of the line on a dive play. But as he tried to extend the ball past the goal line, he fumbled. FIU's Jeremiah McKinnon recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.

"I think it hit somebody's shoulder pads when I was leaning over (the goal line)," Parker said about the pivotal play. "On (the play before), I felt like I should have gotten in, so on the next one, that's all I was thinking about. I lost focus of the ball because I was just thinking about getting in (to the end zone)."

The Panthers took over at their own 20 with 40 seconds to play in the quarter. Three plays later, FIU quarterback Alex McGough heaved a 40-yard TD pass to tight end Jonnu Smith in the back of the end zone as time expired in the first half.

The Hail Mary trimmed MTSU's lead to 21-17 at the break instead of it being a potential 28-10 advantage at halftime.

"It was probably one of the most disappointing plays of my career, to be honest," said Byard, who was in front of Smith on the play.

The two-score swing carried into the second half.

FIU added two more scores — both off MTSU turnovers — in the third quarter as part of 28 unanswered points.

The Panthers' first third-quarter score came after a fumble by MTSU's Reggie Whatley. The second was a pick-6 on Grammer's first interception, which was deflected at the line of scrimmage.

The scores pushed FIU's lead to 31-21 with 7:24 to play in the third quarter. It was a lead they didn't relinquish.

"It's a very disappointing loss," said MTSU receiver Ed Batties, who set career highs in receiving yards, catches and receiving touchdowns.

"We expected more out of ourselves. We feel that we're better than that. We put the ball on the ground too much today and that really hurt us."

Contact Will Borthick at wborthick@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @willborthick.